Electrical switch



May 28, 1935. A, P BALL 2,002,623

ELECTRICAL SWITCH Original Filed May 13, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet l May 28, 1935.

A. P. BALL' ELECTRICAL SWITCH Original Filed May 13, -19253. 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l f1 l l l l May 28, 1935. A P, BALL 2,002,623

ELECTRICAL SWITCH Original Filed May 13. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 28, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE D Company, Detroit, Michigan Mich., a. corporation of Application May 13, 1925, Serial No. 29,86 Renewed July 1, 1932 15 Claims.

My invention relates to an improved form of unitary service and meter test installation, embodying a novel form of service switch and meter test apparatus, whereby, during normal service,

the proper meter connections may be obtained,

and, during meter testing, the meter may be disconnected from the load and the current bypassed therearound.

It is common to mount such installations on walls or the like and quite frequently it happens that the wall space available for such mountings is limited, particularly where a mounting board is provided to carry the meter and like apparatus comprising part of a complete service entrance installation. As a matter of fact, all space available for such mountings is usually limited and this is true irrespective of 4where the space may be located. Service switches mounted in large switch enclosures require considerable room and particularly where meter testing apparatus is associated therewith. I iind that it is not necessary to unduly spread the service switch and meter testing apparatus in the switch enclosure in order to secure a satisfactory service entrance installation, but on the other hand it is possible to obtain certain advantages, not otherwise obtainable, if a compact arrangement is provided, these advantages residing mainly in economy of wall space, as well as simplicity of design and cheapness in manufacture of the apparatus itself.

On the other hand, the trend of development at the present time is for providing the service entrance switch in an iron clad enclosure which is normally locked or sealed closed. Those unauthorized to gain access to the interior of the enclosure are thereby prevented from opening the cover and accidentally coming into contact with the live parts of the circuit. However, it is desirable to permit access to the fuses in the customers load circuits, but these fuses should be preferably located within a metal enclosure, and according to this invention they may be placed in the iron clad enclosure of the service entrance switch and be accessible, whenever desired, to the customer without permitting the cover of the switch box to be opened each time.

As a further trend of development, there is a tendency to associate the switch in a service entrance installation in such a manner that the fundamental considerations of safety will be taken care of. That is, the switch, which I shall hereinafter describe, embodies fuses and a service switch blade or connector so arranged that the opening of the service switch de-energizes all of the electrical parts, connections and contacts'in the box. As will hereinafter be pointed out, I accomplish this very desirable arrangement by bringing the line wire to the service switch connector first, and thereafter leading this circuit through the fuse and out to the load. The opening of the switch therefore kills the fuses entirely as well as the meter coils.

According to the teachings of this invention, the above desirable arrangement permits the fuses to be so located with respect to the remaining apparatus that they may be accessible for replacing only when the switch is opened, but the opening of the switch does not,- in this instance, allow the switch box cover to be released. I find that it is possible to place the fuse in the box permitting access thereto through an opening in the box, which opening is controlled by a shutter movable to open position only when the switch is in open position. lt will be seen, therefore, that the fuse will be dead whenever the shutter is opened and that access to the fusedoes not necessarily afford access to the remaining parts of the apparatus; the relation between the position of the switch and access to the fuse being to give assurance that the fuse is dead when removed. A

Other objects and advantages of my invention Will appear from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which;

Figure l is a front elevational view of a service entrance installation embodying a service switch and meter test apparatus arranged as a unitary device within an iron clad enclosure;

Fig. 2 is a side view of this unitary device, being partly in elevation and partly in section to illustrate clearly various structural details thereof;

Fig. 3 is a view, in elevation, of the opposite side of this device;

Fig. 4 is a front view looking in the direction of the vertical service switch;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view through the device, looking downwardly upon the base thereof;

Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram of the installation during normal service;

Fig. 7 is a Wiring diagram illustrating the installation converted into a meter testing condir tion, with the meter Calibrating circuit properly connected in circuit therewith;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged top plan view of the iron clad enclosure, illustrating an interlock between the switch handle and a movable shutter for preventing access to the customers fuse while the service switch is in closed position Fig. 9 is a Vertical sectional view through the enclosure embodying the interlocking shutter;

Fig. 10 is an end elevational view of the box illustrating the switch handle in full lines when the service switch is open, and in dotted lines when the service switch is closed.

Certain features shown herein have been more fully described in co-pending applications, Serial No. 762,773, iiled April 22, 1913, Serial No. 384,- 959, led May 28, 1920, Serial No. 604,303, filed December 1, 1922, Serial No. 622,522, iiled March 3, 1923, Serial No. 627,082, filed March 23, 1923, Serial No. 669,908, filed October 20,l 1923, and Serial No. 694,656, filed February 23, 1924.

Briefly, the essence of the present invention resides in the manner in which the various parts are compactly arranged to provide service entrance installation occupying minimum wall space, at minimum cost of construction; this novel arrangement further `allowing the use of an interlocking cover shutter, which cooperates with an exteriorly projecting switch handle to prevent access to the customers fuse while the service switch is in closed position,

That is to say, by virtue of the relative arrangement of the parts with respect to each other, the structure may be brought forwardly on a mounting so as to require the use of less wall space and to locate the customers fuse directly adjacent to the switch cover. Access to the customers fuse may, therefore, be obtained through an opening in the switch cover, and this access to the fuse can 'be restricted by preventing movement of the shutter when the switch handle is in switch closing position.

By referring to Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, it will be noted that a base I is provided, upon which a pair of line terminals 2 and 3 are mounted. A load connection as well as a forwardly extending meter test connection 3l, may also be mounted upon said base I.

Extending forwardly from base I is a platform 6. Platform 6 is furnished with a plurality of levels, one designated 1, .upon which a suitable fuse socket 8A may be mounted, and a level 9, upon which suitable meter testing apparatus may be secured. Between the base I and platform is a service switch l0, this switch being disposed at right angles to both of these parts.

It will be here noted that the right angular disposition of service switch I and the provision of base I for certain of the electrical connections and the platform 6 for the fuse socket and meter testing connections, provide a compact arrangement extending forwardly from the back wall II A of the service switch enclosure I2. Service switch enclosure I2 may be of any suitable type and may be provided with a cover i3 hinged at the points designated I2. A switch handle I is journaled in the sides I5 and Il, the bail portion I6 serving to interconnect with a slotted insulation connection I1 secured to the knife blade Iof the service switch I0. It will be understood that said service switch may be of any suitable tvpe, although the arrangement herein shown is preferably adapted to the knife blade type.

Line terminal 2 is disposed at one end of a contact bar 2B, as will be seen in Fig. 5. The opposite end of contact bar passes through a slot 2|, cut in the lower end of an interconnecting wall 23 between base I and platform 6. A right angular bend is furnished at the opposite end of contact bar 20, to which right angular bend a switch contact clip 26 is fastened by means of a screw 25 passing through the wall 23. Switch contact clip 24 is adapted to pivotally carry the knife blade I8, which at its free end cooperates with a switch contact clip 26 mounted on wall 23 by means of a screw Z'I passing through the wall and threading into a right angular bent contact member 28 and the base of the switch contact clip 26. 'I'he horizontal leg of contact member 28 is adapted to engage against the underside of platform 6, so as to receive a screw 29 serving as the center contact of fuse receptacle 8. If so desired, this fuse receptacle may be of a type receiving the well known Edison fuse plug, or may be of a type receiving any other desired fuse. The circuit is completed through the fuse plug from the center contact 29 and the shell 3U. Shell 33 is in electrical connection with a contact bar 3l, receiving at the outer end a terminal screw 32, to which a meter test connection 33r is fastened.

The opposite side of the circuit is connected to the line terminal 3 and in view of the tendency to omit fuses on the grounded neutral wire of house distributing systems, where this neutral wire is carried to the shell of the lamp socket and is properly identified throughout, this other side of the circuit, being the grounded neutral wire, is carried directly to the load terminal l at the opposite end of a contact bar 35. Contact bar 35 may suitably pass through an opening 36 in the lower end of the wall 23, as shown in Fig. 4.

It will be noted that meter test clip 37 extends forwardly to the front of the box so that the necessary meter test connection may be readily made therewith when the apparatus herein shown is converted to a meter testing condition.

The other load terminal is illustrated at 38 in Figure 1, comprising a screw 39 threading into a contact bar 39 and entering the platform 6. Connected to the load terminal 38 is a meter test clip 3i.

Current flowing through the active side of the line travels through the service switch I0, fuse 8 and to the meter through a connection made with meter terminal 32. From there the current flows through the meter, as will be later explained and through a connection made at a meter terminal designated 42, which meter terminal comprises a screw d3 passing through a contact bar 33 and also entering the platform 6. A. suitable meter test clip 45 is attached to the meter terminal d2. Connected tothe outer ends of contact bars 4l@ and t@ is a pair of switch contact clips 36 and il bridged by a movable connector 38, which connector may be pivotally attached to the contact clip 4l. Connector 38 serves as a meter load controlling switch and its purpose is to disconnect the meter from the customers load during the conversion of the circuit to a. test condition.

The method of converting the circuit to a meter test condition will be later explained.

I have before pointed out that one of the objects of the present invention is to sov arrange the present structure as to extend the customers fuse forwardly a distance sufiicient toly allow access only to said fuse by the customer or other persons unauthorized to have access to the interior of the switch box, and preferably to permit this access only when the service switch is open so that the adjacent parts and the fuse itself will be dead. This access is intended for repla/cement of the fuse, and as a consequence, it is necessary to extend such access no further than to the fuse itself. Accordingly, it will be noted in Figures 8 to 10, inclusive, that cover I3 of the switch box is provided with an opening 50, through which the customers fuse may project. While I have shown this opening 50 large enou'gh to allow the fuse only to project, I do not intend to be so limited. This opening'maybe made large enough to include access to other parts, if sodesired.

A sliding shutter 5I, having an interlocking relation with the service switch, is provided to close opening 58 when the service switch is in closed position. Shutter 5I is guided upon the switch box cover I3 by means of a rivet 52 riding in a slot 53 formed in shutter 5I. The sides'of the shutter are guided in plates 54 and 55. An angle plate 51 permanently attached to the switch cover I3 may be furnished at the outer end to cooperate with the shutter 5I in closing opening 50 at this end.

The cover 5I is movable to the right so as to lie in front of the switch handle I5. The right angular position of the service switch I0 relative to base I and platform 8 permits the switch handle to be in the full line position, shown in Fig. I0, when the switch is open. Consequently, if the shutter plate 5I lies in front of this switch handle when the latter is in this full line position, as shown in thisiigure, the switch handle cannot be moved forwardly to close the switch. As long as the shutter plate 5I is in open position (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8) to permit access to the customers fuse, the service switch must remain in open position. But, on the other hand, if this shutter plate 5I is closed and the service switch is closed, it is then impossible to open the shutter plate, because the switch handle I5 then lies in front of the shutter plate. I consider this arrangement uniqueand of considerable importance to the present invention, because it allows access to the customers fuse only when the fuse is dead. If it is so desired, the switch handle may Abe so shaped as to be properly located when in its on and oil' positions, these positions being shown in dotted and in full lines in Fig. 10. The purposev of providing the platform 8 with different levels is here evident. It allows the meter load disconnecting switch 48 to be carried below the flat switch box cover I3 and the customers fuse to be extended forwardlyand preferably through opening 58, as shown, which is closed over by a ,raised portion 58 on the shutter plate 5I. A suitable insulation collar may surround the shell 38 and be secured in place by screws 86 entering the platform 1 (or it may be made an integral part of this platform), to prevent accidental contact with the shell, thereby avoiding short circuiting or shocks to 'the customer.

Referring now to the wiring diagrams shown in Figs. 5 and 6, in the normal operative condition, the current will be fed to the customer through the service switch and the meter from a circuit which may be traced as follows: From the service lead 58 to the line terminal 2, through the service switch I0, by way of the contact plate 28 to the fuse in socket 8, and then by way of the contact plate 3l to theimeterl terminal 32,

' thence by wayof conductor 6I to the series coil 63 of the service meter and conductor 64 to the other meter terminal 42, through the meter load disconnecting switch 48 to terminal 38, and to conductor 65 of the load circuit, through the load circuit, and back by way lof load conductor 58 to terminal 4, conductor strip 35, and line terminal 3 to the other service line conductor 61.

When it is desired to test the service meter, the cover I3 of the switch box I2 isopened, but normally this cover may be suitably secured in closed position, by sealing or the like, to prevent unauthorized persons from obtaining access to the interior of the switch box.

The first operation in making the test is to connect various meter test connections 68, 69 and 10 by means of well known test clips carried at the ends thereof, these test clips connecting to the corresponding test clips 33, 45 and 31, respectively, on the device. A by-pass 1I' may then be connected across the test clips 33 and 4I.

'Ihe next operation in making the test is to open the meter load disconnecting switch 48, which disconnects the service meter from the load circuit. When these operations have been performed, the current or power from the service circuit is fed directly to the load circuit without passing through the service meter, said meter being disconnected from the load circuit, and the test vcircuit for vCalibrating the service meter is established and comprises a suitable test meter 12 and an artificial load 13, with the proper test connections 68, 69 and 10, above described.

This conversion of the circuit to the test condition, in which the current to the customer is bypassed and the meter disconnected from the load circuit, is performed without in any Way operating the' service switch and its appurtenant apparatus and consequently the test connections, as Well as the load circuit, are protected by the main service switch and fuse. With the apparatus Ain this condition, the iiow of current to the load circuit may now be traced on the wiring illustrated to Fig. 7 as follows: From the service conductor 60 through the service switch I0, the fuse, to the meter test clip 33, the by-pass 1I' to the load terminal 38, thence through the conductor 65, of the load circuit, through the load, back over conductor 66, the contact bar 35 to the line terminal 3, and thence through the service lead 61.

With the apparatus in this condition, service meter can be readily tested without interfering with the supply of current to the consumer, and the test circuit may be traced as follows: From the service conductor 60 through the service switch IU, the fuse, and thence over the wire 6I, through the series coil 63 of the service meter,

thence over the wire 64, to the contact 42, thence over the wire 69 of the calibrating circuit to the artificial load 13 and thence to the series coil 80 of the Calibrating meter 12, wire 10, to the meter test clip 31, and thence to the other side of the circuit by means of the service conductor 61.

In this meter test or calibrating circuit just outlined, the series coil of the service meter is connected in series with the series coil of the calibrating meter and in series with an artiicial load across the potential of the service circuit. i The shunt coil of the service meter is connected across the line from the contact 32 to the contact 3. The shunt coil of the calibrating meter is connected across the same contacts, the current flowing from the contact 32 through the lead 68, the coil and lead 10 to the clip 31.

From the foregoing description, it will be observed that I have provided an improved service entrance installation having the service switch and meter test apparatus novelly arranged upon a mounting which brings the parts forwardly, in compact relation, from the back wall of the switch enclosure. The opening 50 allows the fuse associated with the service switch to be the only part accessible when shutter 5I is opened. This shutter, on the other hand, cannot be opened while the switch is closed. In view of the fact that the fundamental considerations of safety vare taken care of in the present disclosure, by disposing the fuse on the load side of the service switch, so that all the live parts will be killed, when the service switch is open, access to the fuse can be had only when the fuse is dead. I wish to point out the compact relation of the installation resulting from the right angular positioning of the service switch iii' provides certain valuable advantages not heretofore obtained.

Though I have described with great particularity of detail a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is not to be understood therefrom that the invention is restricted to the details described. Various modifications of these details and in the arrangement of their parts may be made. by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

l. In a service entrance and meter test apparatus, the combination of abase, a platform extended from said base, a wall between said base and said platform, electrical connections on said base and said platform for establishing a meter test condition, and a service switch carried by said wall.v

2. In combination,a base, an extended plat-v form, electrical apparatus on said base and said platform for establishinga normal service or a meter test condition, and a service switch disposed between said base and said platform.

3. In combination, a-base, a platform spaced apart from said base, electrical connectionsincluding meter testing means on said base and said platform, and a service switch in circuit with said connections and disposed with its longitudinal dimension substantially at right angles to said base and said platform. v

4. In combination, a base, a platform arranged to be forwardly extended in superimposed relation with respect to said base, means for maintaining normal service condition or establishing a meter testing condition, and a service switch in circuit with said means, said service switch beingdisposed between said base and said platform and the longitudinal dimension thereof extending substantially in a'right-angular relation thereto.

5. In combination, a base, a platform arranged to be forwardly extendedin superimposed relation with respect to said base, electrical connections on said base and said platform, an interconnecting wall substantially at right angles between said base and said platform, and a service switch in circuit with said electrical connections on said wall.

6. In combination, a base, a platform arranged to be forwardly extended in superimposed relation with respect to said base, electrical connections on said base and said platform, an interconnecting wall substantially at right angles between said base and said platform, and a service switch in circuit with said electrical connections disposed on said wall and under said platform.

7. In combination, a base, a platform arranged to be forwardly extended in superimposed relation with respect to said base, an interconnecting wall substantially at right angles between said base and said platform, contact members on said base, line terminals at one end of said contact members, one of said contact members passing through said interconnecting wall to a load terminal and constituting a through connection for one side of the circuit, the other contact member connecting to a switch contact clip on said wall, a service switch in circuit therewith, and a second load terminal and meter terminal connections on said platform.

8. In combination, a base, a platform arranged to be forwardly extended in superimposed relation with respect to said base, an interconnecting wall between said base and said platform, contact members on said base, line terminals at one end of said contact members, one of said contact members having a load terminal at the opposite end thereof and constituting through connection for one side of the circuit, and a service switch on said wall, the other side of said circuit passing through the other contact member and said serv. ice switch to a fuse on said platform.

9. In combination, a base, a platform arranged to lbe forwardly extended in superimposed relation with respect to said base, an interconnecting wall between said base and said platform, contact members on said base, line terminals at one end of said contact members, one of said contact members having a load terminal at the opposite -end thereof and constituting a through connection for one side of thecircuit, a service switch on said wall, the other side of said circuit passing through the other contact member and said service switch to a fuse on said platform, and meter testing means also on said platform for converting the apparatus into a meter test condition.

*10. Incombination, a base, a platform arranged to be forwardly extended in superimposed relation with respect to said base, an interconnecting wall-between said base and said platform, contact members on said base line terminals at one end of said contact members, one of said contact members having a load terminal at the opposite end thereof and constituting a through connection for one side of the circuit, a service switch on said wall, the other side of said circuit passing through the other contact member and said service switch to a fuse on said platform, and meter testing means also on said platform for converting the apparatus into a meter test condition, said meter testing means comprising a meter load controlling switch and meter test connections connecting thereto.

l1. In combination, a service entrance installation including a service switch and meter testing apparatus, a mounting therefor, said mounting comprising a base and a platform spaced apart by an interconnecting wall, means for carrying said service switch on said wall, and means for carrying said meter testing apparatus on said platform so as to be conveniently accessible during meter testing. y 12. In a service entrance and meter test apparatus, a mounting member having a rear surface adapted to be placed against a supporting surface, a forwardly extending wall portion, and

, a platform portion supported by said wall portion in forwardly projected relation to said rear surface; a meter test switch located on said platform portion; and a service switch carried by said mounting member behind said platform portion and alongside said wall portion. i

13. In a service entrance and meter test apparatus, a mounting member having a rear surface adapted to be placed against a supporting surface, a forwardly extending wall portion, and la platform portion supported by said wall portion in forwardly projected and substantially parallel relation to said rear surface; a meter test switch located on the front face of said platfo portion; and a service switch carried by said mounting member behind. said platform portion and alongside saidwall portion.

14. In a service entrance and meter test apparatus, an insulating member comprising a plurality of contact-supporting surfaces and being formed to provide an overhanging portion with respect to the remainder of the insulating member, a service switch mounted on one of .said surfaces, and a meter test switch mounted on another surface, said service switch being mounted for movement under said overhanging portion of said insulating member and said meter -test switch being mounted a surface above said overhanging portion.

15. In a service entrance apparatus, an insulating member comprising a forwardly projecting portion supporting a forwardly extending switch cooperating with switch clips Y also supported thereby, and also comprisinga forward face portion supporting a fuse clip, the fuse clip and one ci the switch clips being connected through said forward face portion, and line contacts connected to said switch contacts through said forwardly` projecting portion.

l ALBERT P. BAIL. 

